Well, here's a genuine surprise. I've been spending some time with a guy who's just spent £18,000 having his Fiat Coupe restored.
Five-figure rebuilds are not uncommon
You what? £18K? Yup - and apparently five-figure rebuilds are not unusual among Coupe owners these days. Suddenly it dawned on me: the moment people are prepared to spend big on an ageing car, that's the moment it becomes a classic. And it's hard to argue against the Fiat Coupe being a classic - which is why you need to act now if you hanker after a Coupe 20V.
And when we're talking Fiat Coupe, it's pretty much 100 per cent 20V models these days - naturally aspirated ones have pretty much all gone. The 20V, launched in 1996, was always the one to have. That 20-valve five-cylinder turbo, kicking out 220hp, is a torque-rich, tough, peach of an engine.
Some cars with designs regarded as 'distinctive' in their day have aged terribly - Vauxhall Calibra, anyone? The Fiat Coupe is certainly distinctive, but the passage of time has, if anything, done it favours. Chris Bangle's 'slasher' shape certainly looks as striking today as it did when it was unveiled in 1993. Bright colours like Yellow and Sprint Blue really suit it, too.
Sprint Blue really does suit the Coupe
Death of the turbo nutter
A few years ago, 20Vs went through a real Max Power phase. Tuners discovered that the sky was the limit with Fiat's five-cylinder 2.0 turbo engine. I once drove a 20V with in excess of 600hp and against all the odds, it actually worked in a front-drive platform.
That intoxicating phase is pretty much over. Fiat Coupes are now being bought by older types who value originality above all. And original 20V cars are becoming harder to find. Hence why....
...Prices are on the rise
Yes, hold the front page: we have an appreciating Fiat! A total of 72,762 Coupes were ever made, of which perhaps 7,200 came to the UK, by far the majority being Turbos.
'LE' is the one to have with only 1,500 produced
Prices bottomed out a few years ago at barely £1,000, but unmolested survivors are increasingly rare. There are half a dozen for sale at the moment, priced from just below £3K right up to £7K. The movement is resolutely upwards.
The cheapest one in the classifieds is £2,795 for a 1999 20V Turbo with 12 months MOT and 87,328 miles. It's in a great colour called Ink Black (which is in fact a very dark blue) and is said to have no rust - the tin-worm certainly is something you need to be careful of in Coupes.
With fewer miles (74K) but costing more (£3,850) is a red 20V with a full service history. And for the best examples, you'll need to pay above £5K these days.
Originality is key. Be ready to pay over £5k for a good one
The 1998 LE (Limited Edition) and run-out Plus models are the 'ones to have' and prices reflect this. The LE featured a body kit, six-speed gearbox, front strut brace and a natty red-and-black Recaro leather interior. That great spec and rarity (perhaps 1,500 made) ensure its desirability.
£7K seems a lot to pay, but this LE does look great, and has had lots of recent work, including a cambelt at renowned Coupe specialists, Midlands Car Servicing.
So, a fun-to-drive, collectable, appreciating car with a Fiat badge - what's the world coming to?
